Using Points at Moderate resorts

[maze4family]

Really interested in buying DVC, however, we are a non deluxe amenities family. With that being said, we really love POFQ. Are we able to use points at any of the moderates?

 

[hakepb]

You can currently use points to book moderates through the (expensive and somewhat restricted use) Disney Collection
There is a chart here (but note the Disney collection can and will increase points required over time)
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/points-charts/non-dvc-destinations

A 314 sqft POR room uses about the same number of points as a 912 sqft OKW 1BR (with a king bed, whirlpool, washer/dryer, kitchen, living room, huge balcony... Some argue that SSR and OKW feel a little more like a moderate. You might want to rent a stay there before a buying decision)

The moderate option is nice if you want to join a group there, but I would not recommend buying DVC unless you intend to stay in DVC units.

FWIW, I have stayed cash at POR a few times when I've wanted more days at WDW than I have points

 

[DebbieB]

There's also a $95 fee to use the Disney Collection (excluding Disneyland). Resales purchased after 3/2011 cannot book the Disney Collection.

 

[supersnoop]

Really interested in buying DVC, however, we are a non deluxe amenities family. With that being said, we really love POFQ. Are we able to use points at any of the moderates?

Essentially, yes, you could, but it would cost you more than just paying cash for your room every year.

 

[Lynne M]

Really interested in buying DVC, however, we are a non deluxe amenities family. With that being said, we really love POFQ. Are we able to use points at any of the moderates?

The only real benefit to owning DVC is reducing your costs for the villas by pre-paying. If the villas don't interest you, and you'd rather stay elsewhere, there's just no financial justification for buying. As supersnoop said, you'd pay less for stays at moderates by continuing to make cash reservations. And your costs through DVC for staying at moderates would only go up over the years.

The moderates are offered as an exchange option, but the rules for exchanges are very different than for stays at DVC resorts. The exchange rates with the Disney resorts (non-DVC) are renegotiated every year, and generally the point costs rise every year with no cap. Disney can decide to limit the number of rooms available for points at non-DVC resorts at their whim, and even suspend or cancel the option to use points at non-DVC resorts.